Requirements for Application

Additional information for graduates of universities outside of the United States and Canada

Successful applicants who have graduated from a non-AVMA accredited college of veterinary medicine must complete ECFVG training and exam. All successful applicants must pass NAVLE and be able to obtain a Minnesota veterinary license prior to starting the program. Successful applicants must provide proof of identity and right to work in the United States at the point of hire (i.e. by the start date) and throughout the internship.

Visa Sponsorship

If you will require visa sponsoring or are unsure about your work status, please review the Information for Foreign Applicants page and contact this program prior to applying. Please be aware that some programs listed in the VIRMP accept applications ONLY from citizens of the United States (or Canada if a Canadian program) or from applicants who possess permanent residency status at the time of application.

Clinical Experience and Responsibilities

Yes No

Does the intern have primary case care responsibility for first-opinion and emergency/critical care cases?

Yes No

Is the intern the primary surgeon on a broad range of elective and entry-level procedures?

Yes No

Does the intern have primary case care responsibility for complex cases with supervision by a boarded specialist?

Yes No

Are patient rounds held daily with a boarded specialist in attendance?

60%

What is the percentage of time the intern will be directly supervised?

Didactic Training

Yes No

Are teaching rounds held weekly?

Yes No

Does the intern deliver a professional presentation or seminar to senior clinicians and peers?

Yes No

Does the intern have an opportunity to attend a professional meeting?

Yes No

Is financial support provided to attend a professional meeting?

Yes No

Is the intern required to complete/submit a publication?

Facilities

Yes No

Does the intern have access to current medical textbooks?

Yes No

Is a computer with internet access provided?

Yes No

Does the intern have access to search engines for scientific literature and online journals?

Yes No

Does the primary hospital have an intensive care unit?

Equipment

Do interns have access to the following equipment/technology, either on-site or outsourced?

Arthroscopy

Basic clinical laboratory equipment

Blood Gas Analysis

Blood Pressure Monitoring

Bone Plating Equipment

CT Scan

Diagnostic Laboratory

Digital Radiography

Echocardiography

Electrocardiography

Endoscopy

Laparoscopy

MRI

Nuclear Medicine

Physical Therapy Equipment

Ultrasound

Scheduling

These percentages may not be cumulative

80%

Percentage of program intern is assigned to daytime primary emergency

0%

Percentage of program intern is assigned to overnight primary emergency

Percentage of program intern is required to work at a secondary (satellite) clinic

Orientation/Supervision/Mentoring

Yes No

Is a formal orientation program required?

Yes No

Does the intern have a mentor who is a veterinarian in the practice?

Yes No

Are written performance evaluations provided?

Yes No

Is an internship orientation manual provided?

Additional Information about Program

The Partners for Wildlife program is pleased to offer a one-year clinical internship position in wildlife rehabilitation, medicine and surgery. The Partners for Wildlife program was established in 2018 and is affiliated with The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. The program aims to improve, strengthen and expand the capacity of wildlife rehabilitators and veterinarians to treat and rehabilitate injured wildlife in order to achieve the best and most humane outcomes. The program focus area encompasses Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, Idaho, Montana, Washington and Alaska. The intern will spend half of their time at The Raptor Center (TRC) in St. Paul, MN, and half of their time at The Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota (WRC) in Roseville, MN. Partners for Wildlife is also offering a second internship program in conjunction with Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

The objectives of this internship program are to provide the intern with hands on training in clinical wildlife medicine and surgery, as well as wildlife rehabilitation. The intern will receive training on a broad variety of clinical skills, including but not limited to hematology, parasitology, radiology, anesthesia, analgesia, orthopedic surgery, soft tissue surgery, wound and fracture management, necropsy, safe handling techniques for wildlife, management of wildlife in a rehabilitation setting, flight conditioning, and determining if an animal is suitable for release or placement in an education program.

The primary duties and responsibilities of the intern revolve around the care of the wild animals that present to TRC and WRC for rehabilitation. The intern will provide primary patient care for a variety of avian, mammalian and reptile species that are native to the upper Midwest. The intern is given primary responsibility for the medical and surgical management of their cases with the supervision and aid of the staff veterinarians. The intern also assists with the medical care of education raptors from local nature centers that present to TRC for preventative care and treatment of illnesses or injuries. The intern will consult with veterinarians and rehabilitators from across the nation regarding the medical care of native wildlife. The intern will also gain teaching experience by providing clinical training to fourth year veterinary students and international veterinarians that complete externships at TRC and WRC, helping with training workshops, and giving an occasional lecture to students at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. The intern is expected to share on call duty at TRC to provide care to injured raptors after hours and weekends. During the busy season, the intern on call will admit patients until 7:00 p.m., and answer phone calls until 9:00 p.m. During the less busy season, the intern on call will admit patients until 5:00 p.m. and answer phone calls until 7:00 p.m. At WRC, the intern will be working with a staff veterinarian for the first two months. After this initial period, they may be scheduled on more independent shifts, but will always have access to a staff veterinarian. The intern will be scheduled for 40-50 hours per week at WRC with more hours being worked in the busy season and less in the off season. Hours range from 8:00 am to close (9:00 - 10:00 pm) during the busy season and 9:00 am to 7:00 – 8:00 pm in the off season. The intern will help share the responsibility of working in the clinic on holidays at both TRC and WRC.

The Partners for Wildlife intern is also responsible for planning and facilitating bi-weekly clinical rounds with wildlife rehabilitators and veterinarians that are participating in the Partners for Wildlife fellowship program. This will require researching topics in advance and consulting with subject matter experts. The intern is expected to contribute to research projects related to clinical wildlife medicine and/or welfare of wildlife in captivity and present this research at a professional conference such as NWRA. Although not required, the intern is encouraged to pursue a case report or retrospective study for publication in the peer reviewed scientific literature.

In addition to clinical training, there are also opportunities for academic learning. The clinical staff at TRC attends morning patient rounds Monday-Friday to discuss new admissions and ask questions about existing cases. During the less busy season, the TRC interns organize weekly teaching rounds with the resident and staff veterinarians. The intern may have the opportunity to become involved with multiple ongoing research projects.

Applicants must have flexibility in their work hours and work location, have excellent verbal communication skills, and the ability to function effectively in a clinical team environment. Previous wildlife rehabilitation experience and at least one year of clinical experience practicing as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine is preferred.

The annual salary is $27,000; state and federal income taxes are withheld. Benefits include: medical and dental insurance, 10 days of vacation per year, and professional liability insurance through the University of Minnesota. The program starts July 1, 2019 and ends June 30, 2020, there is some flexibility in the start and end date.

Minimal qualifications for the internship include a DVM or VMD from an AVMA accredited college of veterinary medicine or a comparable foreign institution. Successful applicants who have graduated from a non-AVMA accredited college of veterinary medicine must complete ECFVG training and exam. All successful applicants must pass NAVLE and be able to obtain a Minnesota veterinary license prior to starting the program. Successful applicants must provide proof of identity and right to work in the United States at the point of hire (i.e. by the start date) and throughout the internship. Proof is established through the provision of applicable, original and unexpired documents. The Raptor Center will not provide financial support for acquisition of appropriate documentation of proof to work or renewal of such documentation in the United States, and this documentation must be in place at the time of the internship start date. The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer.